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Longmont's Old Chicago once again hosts feast

Nearly 650 served at annual OUR Center dinner, topping last year's number

By Tony KindelspireLongmont Times-Call

Posted:
11/22/2012 03:08:30 PM MST

Updated:
11/22/2012 06:28:38 PM MST

LONGMONT -- Thanksgiving dinner, for their family, would come later. First, it was time to make sure others got their dinner. Hundreds of others.

"This is our first year (at Old Chicago)," said Rosemary Williams, who lives in Louisville but used to work in Longmont. "We've done other volunteering Thanksgiving things but this is our first year in Longmont."

Williams was familiar with the OUR Center and its annual Thanksgiving dinner. She and her sister-in-law, Anne Taylor, were part of about 80 volunteers that gave their time to make the affair run smoothly, including about 20 Old Chicago employees, who also gave up their time.

Taylor drove up from Centennial with her sons to spend Thanksgiving with Williams' family. But before settling in for the afternoon at Williams' home in Louisville, everyone got into the volunteering act: Taylor's sons and Williams' husband were out delivering meals that Old Chicago prepared to people who couldn't make it into the restaurant.

Volunteer Kathleen Bennett, of Estes Park, serves up slices of pumpkin pie to David, no last name given, 76, of Longmont, during the OUR Center's annual Thanksgiving Day dinner at Old Chicago in Longmont.
(Matthew Jonas/Times-Call)

"(We) love doing this stuff," Taylor said.

Almost 650 people enjoyed a feast with all the trimmings on Thursday, hosted for the eighth straight year by Old Chicago.

"It's fun," said Brandi Harper, Old Chicago's kitchen manager. "It's giving back. (Our employees) all donate their time and it is awesome."

Edwina Salazar, executive director of the OUR Center, said this year her organization staged its shuttle buses so they didn't all arrive at the restaurant at the same time. That meant quicker seating for the guests and an easier time of it for the restaurant staff and her volunteers.

"What's so impressive to me is the enthusiasm and dedication of the Old Chicago employees," Salazar said. "They are so dedicated that they don't mind spending their holiday here."

From left: Phoenix Zhang, 12, and Brigit Bard, 4, both of Longmont, listen as Michael Bellmont plays the harmonica during the OUR Center's annual Thanksgiving Day dinner Thursday.
(Matthew Jonas/Times-Call)

Longmont resident Michael Bellmont was on hand again, playing the role of roaming minstrel with his guitar and banjo. So was Lloyd Mobley, who performs at Old Chicago every Tuesday night on kids' night. His magic tricks engaged the kids as he wandered the dining room.

"There's nothing I would rather be doing than donating my time for a cause like this," said Mobley.

Also in attendance was Thelma Horton, who will celebrate her 100th birthday on Dec. 1.

Horton has lived in Longmont since 1975, when she was transferred here as a J.C. Penney employee, a company she worked for 42 years.

"I've met Mr. Penney," Horton said. "I had breakfast with him."

Asked if she had any advice for others who would aspire to hit triple-digits, a smiling Horton allowed that she certainly didn't feel her age.

"I like lots of good food and I love to cook," she said. "But I don't drink too much, other than water." Tony Kindelspire can be reached at 303-684-5291 or at tkindelspire@times-call.com.

Volunteer Ray Detwiler carries a tray of food to the dining room during the OUR Center's annual Thanksgiving Day dinner on Thursday.
(Matthew Jonas/Times-Call)

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